Letter 41 - From Tinian Island, Marianas Group, Pacific Ocean

Mariana Islands
Sunday, 29 April 1945

Dear Mom, Dad and All,

     It's Sunday afternoon and hotter'n Hell here.  We've caught up on most of our work and I'm off for the afternoon, so I'm taking time out to write you a few lines on this beat up typewriter.  It was dropped in the Pacific ocean when we landed and got all rusted up from the salt water, but I've managed to get it fixed up somewhat so I can use it.  It's a Remington noiseless and should have been left in the ocean.
     Today I received another letter from Eve and a package from her also.  I now have two boxes of Fanny Farmers on hand.  Not bad, eh?  They are just about the best thing I can think of to have around to nibble on.  Two days ago I got Mom's package with the cookies and the other box of Fanny Farmers.
     We had a drink of Old Grandad this morning on the victory in Europe, but later announcements on the radio proved that we were a bit hasty.  Guess Senator Tom Connelly must have got a little high at the conference to start a false rumor like that.  It sure got around the world in a hurry, didn't it?
     Now that I've started this I don't know what I'm going to fill the page with, this type is so small.  Eve wrote that both Florence and Rae were on the sick list and I hope they are both well on the road to recovery by the time you receive this.  Glad to hear that little Ray is still healthy and his usual good natured self.  Must take after his father.  It's hard for me to imagine him with eight teeth and walking around on his own.  The picture of he and Eve was very good and gave me a very good idea of how big he has grown to be.  From what Eve writes he sure gets into everything.  Hope he isn't too much of a bother to the rest of the family.  I don't know what Eve would have done without him, as he seems to take up most of her leisure time pretty well and keep her from getting too lonesome for her hubby and her folks.  She's a long way from both.  She won't have to worry about flying bombs any more now, thank heaven; that's what made it worse than anything else.  The Jerries are getting their just desserts, and I hope that this time they learn their lesson.  Their war has come home to them for a change.
     I've been getting the Mpls. Tribune, but as yet have not received an issue of "LIFE" magazine.  Don't know what's holding it up as I should have received an issue by now.
     George seems to still be doing OK for himself.  That extra stripe on his arm should help out his financial position a bit, too.  I've had one long V-mail from him and a couple of letters from the Humphreys.  They are sure proud of their first grandson.  They're not the only ones either.  They also sent me a copy of one of the London Sunday papers.  It was rather good to see one again.  The rest of the fellows were surprised to see so many ads for flower seeds and seedlings.  Guess they didnit know that everyone in England has a flower garden.
     Well, I guess that will have to be all for now.  Send me another package when you have some time to spare, crackers, cheese, candy are fine.

     Love to you all,
          Bob